Salem - The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace has awarded mini-grants to 24 Oregon insurance agents to help them create drop-in enrollment centers during the upcoming health insurance open enrollment for plan year 2016.
Open enrollment starts on Nov. 1, 2015, and ends on Jan. 31, 2016. Oregonians will be able to enroll at HealthCare.gov or find free in-person help at OregonHealthCare.gov.
"Oregonians have made it clear that they value local in-person help when shopping and enrolling in health insurance," said DCBS Director Patrick Allen. "The open enrollment center program will help licensed insurance agents provide free local help to Oregonians."
"We are thrilled to be a part of this program," said Shea Brown a grant awardee at RJS & Associates Insurance Services. "As agents it has been a struggle to handle the influx of enrollment. This is a great opportunity to partner with DCBS to access more resources to help as many people as possible get covered in Philomath and the surrounding area. Being in a rural area, there is not a lot of help locally and we are thrilled to get the resources necessary to help our community get covered."
Agents will be available at all enrollment centers to help Oregonians shop for and enroll in health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov, or to provide help signing up for the Oregon Health Plan.
Enrollment centers will be required to do all of the following:
* Provide private spaces to talk to agents and community partners
* Be open throughout the entire open enrollment period during normal business hours
* Remain open until 8 p.m. at least one day a week
* Provide free parking and handicap accessibility
* Be located near public transportation
Insurance agent grantees will be awarded $10,000 each and will be expected to conduct outreach within their local communities.
Enrollment centers will be located in the following communities:
* LaGrande
* Hermiston
* The Dalles
* Bend
* La Pine
* Sisters
* Medford
* Cave Junction
* Grants Pass
* Coos Bay
* Eugene
* Philomath
* Salem
* Dallas
* Portland metro area
The awardees are:
* Insurance Lounge Inc
* Henri Cross
* Oregon Health Exchange LLC
* Laura Beegle Valley Insurance Professional
* Tomlin Benefit Planning
* Valley Insurance
* Aaron Michael Burns
* Greg Osborne
* Jefferson State Financial Group Inc.
* Barlow Insurance, LLC
* TNT Insurance Services
* High Desert Insurance
* Health Plans in Oregon
* Pacific Benefit Planners
* RJS & Associates Insurance Services
* Scott Littlejohn
* Revell Coy Insurance
* Simmons Insurance
* Tom Eiden
* NW Securities Advisors
* Sue Carney
* Marcy Gallegos
* Harry Abel Insurance Agency
* O'Leary Health
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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is Oregon's state-based health insurance exchange and is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit Oregonhealthcare.gov andwww.dcbs.oregon.gov.
October 21, 2015
